Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Mandatory minimum sentences were introduced on 1 November. That is why the weapons amnesty expired the previous day. Such sentences are now contemplated under the law and I look forward to their being vigorously imposed by members of the Judiciary to whom it falls to implement the new law.

I agree with the Deputy that people, particularly those involved in gangland situations, seem to believe they can get away with the use of firearms. There are certain reasons for that. There is a culture of silence around these gangs and also one involving the intimidation of witnesses. The Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Justice Act 2006 makes provision for the use of statements against intimidated or unwilling witnesses.

As regards breaking open these gangs and dealing with the wall of silence with which investigating gardaí are frequently confronted, the rebalancing committee of the criminal law, which has just been established, will examine some measures that were proposed by Members of the House, not least by Deputy Howlin, and I look forward to its early report. In my opinion, we may be obliged to go further than what were quite severe steps in the Criminal Justice Act to ensure that those people who resort to the right to silence and believe that they can stare at a point on the wall when being interviewed should fall under the same pressure to give a proper account of themselves as, for example, those who are suspected, under the post-Omagh legislation, of committing atrocities.

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